Why he’s ranked >> A nice round number of 40 was magical for Hanhauser, as in the number of touchdowns he scored during the 2008 season. That included three playoff games, and nine more TDs in the first two in the postseason. At the time, the TD mark tied former Euclid running back Tony Fisher’s total of 40 touchdowns in 1997. A few weeks after that, Hanhauser won the Fisher Award as the area’s top high school football player.

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The skinny >> The Pirates were loaded with a solid senior class that 2008 season. It included the likes of Mitchell and Vinny Hokavar and tight end Anthony Kukwa. Perry finished 11-2, and lost in a Division IV regional final. The 2008 season was the first in which Hanhauser was a full-time running back. He gained 1,616 yards rushing plus 250 more as a receiver, plus his 40 touchdowns. He only played the second half in three of Perry’s 13 games that season. Hanhauser was also a standout defensive back.

They said it >> “Going into the year, we felt confident he would have a great season, but I never dreamed of anything like he did. He got on a roll and got better every week. It’s the best single-season performance I’ve ever witnessed.” ­— Perry coach Matt Rosati.

“It was all about the team success. Yeah, I scored a lot of touchdowns, but it was the best time of my life because of the great team we had and playing with all my friends. We had a great (senior) class and you could see it coming together.” — Hanhauser

“I liked getting the ball so much and scoring those touchdowns. Who wouldn’t? I loved having the football in my hands. I ran hard on every play.” — Hanhauser

“Winning the Fisher Award blindsided me. I never expected that would happen to me individually.” ­— Hanhauser

Where are they now? >> Hanhauser attended Lehigh, where he played football for one season as a defensive back. He eventually transferred to Edinboro, where he earned his degree and played football. Hanhauser, 26, still lives in Edinboro and works for PNC Bank.

About the Author

Mark's an Ohio State graduate who's been with The News-Herald since 1996. He enjoys exercising, reading, writing, cooking, spending time with his family and college football. Reach the author at mpodolski@news-herald.com
or follow Mark on Twitter: @mpodo.